The day the earth stood still

When I heard last week that 20th Century Fox were remaking the classic 1951 Sci-Fi B Movie “The Day the Earth Stood Still”, I was reminded what a great film this still is. The new version is to star Keanu Reeves as Klaatu and Jennifer Connelly as Helen Benson. Kathy Bates and John Cleese are set to have cameo roles, but I suspect that John Cleese will have the Dr. Barnhardt role and Kathy Bates will play the landlady of Helen Benson.

The original 1951 version of the movie starred Michael Rennie and was based upon the short story by Harry Bates. Originally called “Farewell to the Master” and written in 1940.

The film is much more than a good Sci-Fi story and the special effects were very good for the age in which it was made. The story carries with it a sound moral ending about the futility of war and what will happen if humans do not learn to live in peace and harmony, and of course over 50 years later, we’re still at war.

I’m just hoping that the new film will not loose this poignant aspect in favour of cutting edge special CGI effects. The original story leaned much more on the subject of making assumptions and features a nifty twist at the end.

Those of you who are interested enough in reading the original story can do so by clicking on the stories title above and below is the final few minutes of the 1951 version of the classic film.